It was a disheartening sight that played out far too many times last season:

A Giants center fielder would sprint at the crack of the bat, the crowd would gasp in anticipation, and then he would slow up as a base hit fell in front of him.

No, their center fielders were not the dashing sort, unless you were counting hopes.

The Giants front office knew it would be mandatory this winter to acquire a solidly above-average defender in center field. They are not finished addressing that mandate after agreeing to terms on a two-year, $6 million contract with outfielder Austin Jackson.

Those in the know tell me that the Giants signed Jackson to serve as a depth piece at all three outfield spots, reprising the successful role he held with the Cleveland Indians last year. He’s a right-handed hitter who mashed lefties to the tune of a 1.013 OPS as part of a solid offensive year in which he hit .318/.387/.482 with seven home runs and 19 doubles in 318 at-bats...

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